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Terry Cox
Terry Cox
Terry Cox
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Key Information

Terence William Harvey Cox (born 13 March 1937, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire) played drums in the British folk rock bands The Pentangle, Duffy's Nucleus and Humblebums.

He also drummed with several other artists, most notably David Bowie and Elton John. He was drummer for Charles Aznavour between 1974 and 1982. In 1973, he had a songwriting partnership with Lynsey de Paul and Lenny Zakatek recorded two of their songs "Get Your Gun" and "Gotta Runaway" that was released as Zakatek on Bell Records.[clarification needed][1]

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Terry Cox

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Terence William Harvey Cox (born 13 March 1937) is an English jazz and rock drummer best known as a founding member of the influential British folk-jazz supergroup Pentangle, with whom he recorded six albums between 1968 and 1972. Born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Cox began playing drums in local venues like High Wycombe’s Cadena Club before taking lessons from jazz musician Jack Peach and turning professional in 1960. His early career included stints with the Michael Garrick Quintet (1960–1961), the Lennie Felix Trio (1961–1962), and the Al Fairweather–Sandy Brown Band (1962–1964), establishing him as a versatile session player in the UK jazz scene. In 1967, Cox co-founded Pentangle alongside guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, bassist Danny Thompson, and vocalist Jacqui McShee, contributing his precise, swinging style to the band's genre-blending sound that fused British folk traditions with jazz improvisation and blues. The group achieved critical acclaim, with their debut album The Pentangle (1968) and subsequent releases like Basket of Light (1969) showcasing Cox's rhythmic foundation on tracks such as "Light Flight," the theme for the BBC television series Take Three Girls. Pentangle disbanded in 1973 but reunited sporadically, including a 1982 tour and a reunion of the original lineup in 2008. Beyond Pentangle, Cox maintained a prolific session career, drumming on David Bowie's self-titled 1969 debut album (also known as ) and Elton John's (1971). He also toured and recorded with artists including Roy Orbison, (as his regular drummer from 1974 to 1982), , and , while contributing to albums by Duffy Power's Duffy's Nucleus and Shirley and Dolly . In later years, Cox reduced his touring schedule to run the Pan Y Vino restaurant in , , though he continued occasional performances and released the EP Twice Upon a Time in 2010. As of 2025, at age 88, Cox remains recognized for his enduring influence on and folk-rock drumming.

Early career

Local beginnings

Terence William Harvey Cox, known professionally as Terry Cox, was born on 13 March 1937 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Cox developed an early interest in drumming during his youth in High Wycombe, where he began sitting in with local musicians at the Cadena Club, a key venue for jazz enthusiasts in the area during the 1950s. This informal exposure to live performances sparked his passion for the instrument and provided initial performance opportunities in Buckinghamshire's local scene. To hone his skills, he took formal lessons from Jack Peach, a respected local drummer who helped shape his technical foundation. Cox continued to develop his skills through local performances before turning professional in 1960. His early band experiences built on this local groundwork; from 1960 to 1961, he performed with pianist Michael Garrick's group, contributing to ensembles that emphasized and ensemble play. This was followed by a stint from 1961 to 1962 with the Lennie Felix Trio, where Cox provided rhythmic support for the pianist's sophisticated trio arrangements, further solidifying his reputation in regional circles. These formative collaborations represented Cox's initial steps toward professional maturity in the UK jazz community.

Jazz and blues involvement

In the early 1960s, Terry Cox immersed himself in the UK's burgeoning scene by joining the Al Fairweather–Sandy Brown band in late 1962, where he served as until 1964. This , known for its traditional jazz sound, provided Cox with a platform to refine his skills alongside established players like clarinettist Sandy Brown and trumpeter Al Fairweather. A highlight of his tenure was the band's collaboration with visiting American trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen for a at Westminster Central Hall in January 1964, a milestone event that showcased Cox's emerging proficiency in high-profile jazz settings. During 1963, Cox expanded his jazz engagements by performing with the Alan Littlejohn/Tony Milliner band, a group blending trumpet and flugelhorn-led improvisation. He also collaborated with guitarist Denny Wright, a versatile and bandleader whose work spanned and , further broadening Cox's exposure to diverse rhythmic approaches in the London circuit. By the mid-1960s, Cox transitioned into the blues realm, joining , a pioneering outfit that fused with elements. His contributions included drumming on unreleased 1965 out-takes such as "Long Black Train" and "Sky Blues," recorded alongside bassist , which captured the band's raw, improvisational energy during BBC sessions. Cox's blues involvement deepened with his role in Duffy Power's Nucleus around 1966, a short-lived ensemble that marked an early experiment in folk- crossovers. Featuring guitarist John McLaughlin and bassist , the band released a blues-inflected cover of Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog" on Decca in 1966, following a handful of intense live performances that highlighted Cox's adaptable percussion in genre-blending contexts. Throughout this period, Cox's drumming style evolved through immersion in jazz and blues traditions, as evidenced by his work with ensembles led by figures like Sandy Brown and , which emphasized swing rhythms and improvisational dynamics over rigid structures.

The Pentangle

Formation and musical style

The Pentangle formed in in 1967, comprising vocalist , guitarists and vocalists and , double bassist , and drummer Terry Cox. The group's inception stemmed from informal collaborations among Jansch, Renbourn, and McShee at venues like Les Cousins folk club, evolving into a formal through a Sunday night residency organized by Scottish entrepreneur Bruce Dunnett at the Horseshoe pub on . This residency, starting in early 1967, served as a platform for experimentation, with the addition of Thompson and Cox solidifying the lineup. Cox, drawn from the London jazz scene where he had collaborated with Thompson in Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, was recruited to anchor the band's , infusing subtlety and swing into the folk-oriented ensemble. His role emphasized a supportive foundation that balanced the interplay of Jansch and Renbourn while allowing space for McShee's vocals and the group's improvisational leanings. The band's musical style was notably eclectic, weaving British folk traditions with , , and emerging elements to create a fluid, genre-blending sound that prioritized collective over rigid structures. Cox's drumming technique exemplified this approach: a , muffled touch that favored rhythmic nuance and texture over volume or aggression, drawing from his roots but tailored to the intimate acoustics of folk . The original lineup proved stable from its outset, with early rehearsals held informally at the Horseshoe, where the members refined their through extended sessions that honed the group's signature cohesion.

Key albums and activities

The Pentangle's debut album, The Pentangle, released in 1968 on Transatlantic Records, showcased the band's innovative fusion of folk, jazz, and blues through acoustic arrangements and intricate instrumentation, featuring originals and traditional tunes like "Bells" and "Bruton Town." This self-titled effort peaked at No. 21 on the UK Albums Chart, marking their entry into the broader music scene. Later that year, they followed with Sweet Child, a double album that captured a live performance at London's Royal Festival Hall alongside studio tracks, emphasizing extended improvisations and vocal harmonies led by Jacqui McShee. The band's breakthrough came with in 1969, which blended accessible folk-rock with sophisticated rhythms and reached No. 5 on the , spending 28 weeks in the top 100. Standout tracks included "Light Flight," an instrumental that gained widespread recognition as the theme music for the BBC's pioneering color drama series . Subsequent releases like Reflection in 1971 explored more experimental influences and poetic lyrics, while in 1972 served as the final album with the original lineup, reflecting a maturing sound amid evolving creative directions before the group's initial disbandment. During their primary active years from 1968 to 1973, The Pentangle conducted extensive tours across the and , performing at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and , which helped solidify their reputation as live virtuosos capable of seamless transitions between structured songs and free-form jams. They also appeared at major festivals, including the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, where their set drew acclaim for its blend of acoustic precision and improvisational energy amid a bill featuring global rock acts. The original Pentangle lineup dissolved in 1973 amid creative differences, exacerbated by the rigors of constant touring and personal strains including heavy alcohol use among members, leading individuals like to pursue solo endeavors.

Post-Pentangle work

Session drumming and collaborations

Following the breakup of the Pentangle in 1973, Terry Cox continued his freelance session drumming, focusing on and international performances while reducing his overall schedule. In the 1970s, Cox expanded his jazz session work, joining the Roger Webb Trio for performances and recordings that highlighted his improvisational skills. He also drummed with Bobby Lamb-Ray’s Premru Orchestra, blending with light orchestral elements. Additionally, he accompanied American artists like saxophonist and vocalist during UK sessions, providing precise support in improvisational settings. These contributions, along with other studio sessions, reinforced Cox's versatility across genres in the post-Pentangle years.

Performances with major artists

In the 1970s, Terry Cox toured with Roy Orbison, adapting to rock settings in live shows across the and . From 1974 to 1982, Cox served as the primary drummer for , joining international tours across , North America, and elsewhere. He appeared on live recordings like 1980...Charles Aznavour Est A L'Olympia, with rhythms fitting Aznavour's style at venues such as the Olympia. Cox also contributed to studio albums including Guichets Fermés (1978), incorporating jazz grooves with orchestral arrangements. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Cox performed with artists and at venues like and the Royal Festival Hall, enhancing their swing and during residencies and concerts. These collaborations with international and figures in the post-Pentangle era highlighted Cox's adaptability and precision across rock, , and .

Later career and reunions

Pentangle reunions

The Pentangle first reunited in 1982 for live performances, including appearances at the Folk and a tour of encompassing shows in and , though drummer Terry Cox missed the festival due to injuries from an automobile accident. The core group of guitarists and , singer , bassist , and Cox performed together during this period, blending their signature folk-jazz style in these early reunion efforts. By 1985, with Renbourn having departed, the remaining quartet of Jansch, McShee, Thompson, and Cox released the album Open the Door, which featured original compositions and traditional arrangements supported by guest violinist Mike Piggott. Cox departed the band in 1987, effectively ending this phase of activity. After a two-decade hiatus, the original five members—Jansch, Renbourn, McShee, Thompson, and Cox—reunited in 2007 for a special performance at the , where they received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Sir and played tracks like "Light Flight." This one-off event reignited interest, leading to a full 12-date tour in June and July 2008, marking the band's first such outing in 35 years and featuring sets drawn from their classic repertoire at venues including the Royal Festival Hall. Live recordings from this tour were later compiled and released as Finale: An Evening with Pentangle in 2016 by Topic Records. The original lineup reconvened once more in 2011 for a series of high-profile appearances, including sets at the in June, the Cambridge Folk Festival in July—where they reprised material like "Hunting Song"—and London's in August, drawing enthusiastic crowds with their intricate acoustic interplay. These performances, captured in part on the 2023 compilation Reunions: Live & BBC Sessions 1982-2011, represented the final full-band activities of the classic Pentangle formation before Bert Jansch's death later that year. died on 26 March 2015, and died on 23 September 2025.

Solo recordings and projects

In the and , Terry Cox's solo output remained limited, reflecting his jazz-folk roots through acoustic and improvisational explorations rather than extensive recording sessions. His discography during this period is notably sparse, with a single prominent release that emphasized original material influenced by his life in . Cox released his solo EP Twice Upon a Time in , a folk-oriented project featuring five original compositions: "Land of the Free" (5:18), "Here Comes the Midnight Movie" (4:12), "Come Here With Me" (3:35), "La Bateria" (3:47), and "The Morning Came." The EP blends intimate acoustic arrangements with subtle rhythmic elements drawn from his improvisational background, available for sampling on platforms like . That same year, Cox formed the Menorcan Trio with local musicians Sergi Martin on guitar and Nito Llorens on double bass, performing jazz standards such as Charlie Parker's "" at venues like Es Forat in . These outings highlighted Cox's shift toward smaller-scale, collaborative improvisation in a relaxed island setting, captured in live recordings that showcased his precise, understated drumming style. In 2009, prior to these releases, Cox organized a in with Spanish collaborators to raise awareness for , a condition affecting approximately one in ten people worldwide. He described the event as an effort "to try and break the taboo perceived by many people," merging his musical talents with charitable aims in his adopted community. This environment encouraged his emphasis on improvisational jazz-folk hybrids, evident in both the trio's live sets and the contemplative tone of Twice Upon a Time.

Personal life

Relocation to Menorca

In the early 1970s, following the height of his work with the Pentangle, drummer Terry Cox relocated to , , with his wife Jill, seeking a more tranquil lifestyle away from the demands of the music scene. They settled on the island in 1970 or 1971, where Cox initially commuted back to Britain for performances and sessions, allowing him to balance his professional commitments with island living. This move marked a significant shift, enabling him to step back from the intensity of full-time touring while maintaining ties to his musical career. By the mid-1980s, Cox and his wife established the restaurant Pan Y Vino in the town of Torres, , which they operated as a family venture from 1985 until its sale in 2008. The business became a cornerstone of their life on the island, fostering deep connections within the local community through and daily operations. This endeavor reflected Cox's desire for stability, integrating his personal life with entrepreneurial pursuits amid 's relaxed Mediterranean environment. The serene setting of profoundly shaped Cox's musical approach, steering him toward intimate, local performances rather than large-scale concerts. He formed ensembles like a Menorcan with local musicians Sergi Martin and Nito Llorens, playing weekly gigs and recording live sessions that emphasized collaborative, community-oriented . This evolution allowed him to sustain his passion for drumming on a smaller scale, influenced by the island's laid-back rhythm and cultural vibrancy. Cox adeptly balanced his restaurant management with these musical activities, using the stability of Pan Y Vino to support sporadic freelance work and local engagements without resuming full-time touring. Cox continues to reside in , engaging in occasional compositions and performances while enjoying a quieter, island-based existence.

Advocacy and other pursuits

In 2009, while residing in , Cox organized a with local Spanish musicians to raise awareness about , a condition he has personally managed for many years. The event sought to dispel stigmas surrounding the illness, which impacts roughly 1 in 10 individuals globally, and served as a gesture of gratitude toward the Menorcan community that has supported his family life. Cox contributed to local community initiatives by operating the restaurant Pan Y Vino in Torres, , where he hosted events that fostered connections among residents and performers. These gatherings blended his culinary and musical interests, promoting cultural exchange in the area. After closing the restaurant, Cox maintained involvement in 's scene through informal local performances, including weekly sessions with trios featuring guitarists from and the island. Cox continues to live in , where he remains active in a limited capacity at age 88.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/374446-Terry-Cox
  2. https://www.sandybrownjazz.co.uk/Profiles/TerryCox.html
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pentangle-mn0000838559
  4. https://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/the-drummers-of-david-bowie-608401
  5. https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/madman-across-the-water:-in-the-studio
  6. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/terry-cox
  7. https://www.discogs.com/release/30420233-Alexis-Korners-Blues-Incorporated-BBC-Sessions-1-1962-1965
  8. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/27/duffy-power
  9. https://theafterword.co.uk/pentangle-a-history-in-several-parts/
  10. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/feb/18/folk.shopping1
  11. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-pentangle-mw0000191380
  12. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/pentangle-the-pentangle/
  13. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/pentangle-basket-of-light/
  14. https://theafterword.co.uk/pentangle-a-history-in-several-parts-conclusion/
  15. https://www.discogs.com/master/1087297-Charles-Aznavour-1980Charles-Aznavour-Est-A-LOlympia
  16. https://www.bear-family.com/pentangle-reunions-live-bbc-sessions-1982-2011-4-cd-box.html
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/2065621-Pentangle-Open-The-Door
  18. https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2127
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/01_january/17/pentangle.shtml
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jul/02/folk.culture
  21. https://www.jazzwise.com/review/pentangle-finale
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/29/danny-thompson-obituary
  23. https://www.menorca.info/menorca/local/2015/11/15/1506166/terry-cox-isla-siento-como-casa.html
  24. https://www.sandybrownjazz.co.uk/profileterrycox.html
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